Recipes - Food For Learning

Did you know that the food you eat can help your brain grow stronger and smarter? Eating the right foods gives you energy and can also help you focus, remember things, and do your best in school or at work. From leafy greens to tasty berries, these brain-boosting foods are a great way to power your learning!

Stay safe in the kitchen: always take care when using knives, hot stoves, or handling hot liquids. If you’re not confident, ask an adult for help.

Want to know more? Our Food for Learning poster, available in the shop, dives deeper into these foods and explains the neuroscience behind how they support your brain. Be sure to explore our other posters too—Food for Focus, Food for Sleep, and Food for Anxiety!

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos (Vegan, Gluten-Free Option)

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 can (400g) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 corn tortillas (or gluten-free tortillas)
  • 1/2 avocado, sliced
  • Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or 400°F.
  2. Toss diced sweet potatoes in olive oil, cumin, paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
  3. Spread them evenly on a baking tray and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender.
  4. While the sweet potatoes are roasting, heat the black beans in a saucepan over low heat.
  5. Warm the tortillas in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes on each side.
  6. To assemble, fill each tortilla with roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and avocado slices.
  7. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve!

Broccoli & Chickpea Stir-Fry (Vegan, Gluten-Free Option)

Ingredients:

  • 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
  • 1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium heat.
  2. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in chickpeas, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
  5. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, until chickpeas are heated through.
  6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, salt, and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve warm as a nutritious, learning-boosting meal.

Salmon & Spinach Salad with Walnuts (Gluten-Free)

Ingredients:

  • 1 salmon fillet (about 150g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 handful of fresh spinach (about 40g)
  • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Season the salmon fillet with salt and pepper.
  3. Place the salmon in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
  4. In a separate bowl, toss the spinach, red onion, and walnuts together.
  5. Flake the cooked salmon and add it on top of the salad.
  6. Drizzle with lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

Quinoa & Lentil Salad (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Ingredients:

  • 100g quinoa
  • 100g cooked lentils (or 1/2 can of cooked lentils)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
  • Fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, lentils, cucumber, and red bell pepper.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and apple cider vinegar.
  4. Add pumpkin seeds and fresh parsley, then season with salt and pepper.
  5. Toss well and serve chilled or at room temperature.